The Forest Behind the House
5. Memory of Mind 2

"When I was tired of looking for our lost calf, I sat under the fig tree that was behind our house."

"Then?" ask Irfan impatiently.

"So looking left right, I hit the wooden branch I was holding from the beginning I was looking for the calf. Tiredness and despair enveloped my heart, so I chose to surrender and let the calf disappear forever."

"You know what happens next?" ask Irfan.

Irfan answered that question with a slug. How could he possibly know what happened next, since he was not Budi, he was not the one who was there.

"A girl in strange clothes approached me. At that moment, I felt a little nervous and panicked. Because the girl came suddenly and out of nowhere."

"Then-then?" asked Irfan excited and impatient.

Budi continued his story. She said that she was very beautiful with a white dress attached to her body. That beautiful girl was like a princess from an ancient kingdom.

Not only was she beautiful, she was also very friendly. It was seen from the way to greet Budi and calm Budi who was panicking due to his arrival.

Although friendly and beautiful, but still, Budi feels creepy with the presence of the girl. As much as possible he hid what he felt, so that the girl did not know what he was feeling at that time.

The girl continued to invite Budi to chat various things, until it came to the subject that made Budi interested. That's about the calf Budi lost two days ago.

The girl said she knew where the calf was now. If Budi wants, he will take Budi to meet the calf. But if not, then he will not force and Budi will lose the calf forever.

After thinking for a moment, Budi decided to meet his cow boy. Because the calf is Budi's favorite calf. It overcomes the fear that had previously appeared in Budi's heart.

Budi also followed the girl's steps towards the dense forest behind her house. Early in the journey, Budi felt it was still natural because they crossed the bush. But, all that changed after he walked for less than ten steps.

The dense forest is now a beautiful garden with flowers that grow blooming with a fragrant aroma. The fig wood where he sat became the magnificent gate of a palace that was very magnificent, beautiful, and stood very sturdy.

Budi was so shocked and could not believe his current vision. He scratched his eyes so that what he saw now was not just a trick.

"In-where is this?" ask with a million confusions.

"This is my palace," said the girl casually while accompanied by a charming sweet smile that seemed scary to Budi.

"Stana?" ask Budi not to believe.

"Yes, this is the magnificent palace of Ivory."

"Cannot be. This is impossible."

"Can't be? Why is it impossible?" ask the girl.

"Ivory palace doesn't exist."

"If there isn't, then what do you see right now?"

"It's just an illusion" Budi said as he slapped his cheek.

"Illusions? Ha .. ha .. ha .... " The girl laughed making Budi's body frightened.

"It's up to you to think this is real or illusory. The important thing is that you are already in my palace right now," said the girl again.

"Master princess Yuni, the princess' father is waiting for the princess now," said one of the many women in the palace.

"In the dining room."

"Oh, okay."

The girl walked up gracefully leaving the woman who spoke to her respectfully just now. He ignored Budi who was still confused by the current situation.

"Wait!" say Budi from behind.

"What's wrong?"

"I want to go home."

"Come home?"

"Yes, go home."

"Where to?" ask the girl lightly.

"Yes, go home to my house. Go home to where I should be."

"The place where you're supposed to be is right here in my palace."

"No!" say Budi with a high tone.

"What is this, my daughter? Why fuss?" ask a man with a big face.

"There's nothing Dad. Oh yes, I came with my father-in-law's future son-in-law" said the girl smilingly looking at Budi.

Budi who listened to the words of the girl, immediately glared in shock. He could not believe what his ears had just heard.

"Who do you mean your future husband?" ask to be sure.

"You."

"Why me? I don't want to be part of your world. Your world is a world of hallucinations."

"Ha ha ha .. young man, what are you saying?"

"It's clear what I'm saying, I don't want to be a part of you. You're not human!" budi said loudly.

"Man or not, it's none of your business. The most important thing now is, you have no other choice but to follow what I want," said the girl in a tone no less high than Budi.

"That's it. You don't have to argue. Yuni, take Budi to eat now," said the man sangar to be mediator.

"I don't want to eat. I want to go home. Take me home now!"

"good. I'll take you home after dinner" said the girl.

"No! I'm not hungry. Take me home now."

"Based on a stubborn man" said the girl in annoyance.